THE mum of a Midland teenager battered unconscious in a late night attack a week ago today told how the ordeal ruined their family Christmas.

THE mum of a Midland teenager battered unconscious in a late night attack a week ago today told how the ordeal ruined their family Christmas.

The unnamed 18-year-old victim was assaulted in an alleyway near to the Co-Op store on New Road, Rubery, at about 10pm on December 22.

He remains on a ventilator today in the critical care unit of a city hospital where he has been kept under sedation since the attack.

His mum, who did not wish to be named, said: "I spend every day waiting for him to regain consciousness. Christmas has been dreadful this year.

"We have his Christmas presents waiting at home and when he gets better then we shall have our Christmas."

She said the incident had left the family baffled. "We don't know why this happened or who did it. I want answers to those questions and for my boy to get better and come home," she said.

"I don't want anyone else to go through the pain that we have. When you know that your son has been seriously injured your worst nightmare becomes a reality.

"I would urge anyone who knows what happened that night to come forward and speak to the police." Det Sgt Damien Pettit, who is leading the hunt, appealed for anyone with information to come forward. He added that anyone who didn't want to speak to police could call Crimestoppers anonymously.

One man has been arrested and bailed pending further enquiries.

* Anyone with information is asked to contact CID at Bromsgrove or Redditch on 08457 444888.